That’s you , sorry .
TBH we had a very old version of inkscape for a while.
I agree , but I don’t mind the interfaces…
This is due to your quantitative experience Ai , I can make a box in seconds in inkscape.
You NEVER buy a closed source software, you are paying to use it , you don’t own it , you own the temporary permission to use it, permission that can be revoked if the right owner want.
Perhaps it’s not ideal for people with access to newer software having to save to an older format.
But in my experience Photoshop hasn’t changed much over the years and it’s probably the same with Illustrator.
CS5 or greater is very powerful and would be a one-off purchase if we can still get it?
What’s an example of something you can do exclusively in later versions and won’t save to an older format? It can only be some fairly advanced features
But generally a license to use pre-subscription-model software versions will work forever.
Is not legally binding.
Microsoft decide that windows 7/8 have to die? it does.
Apple decide that you need a new phone and slow down your old one…well…
Only if you allow it. My firewall stops everything
Apple is apple. A law unto itself as demonstrated by being the only mobile phone maker to use a different (inferior?) charging cable. Which you can still get in poundland so I don’t know why they bothered
Can everyone stop this ridiculous bickering about ideologies for and against open source software…
The point of this conversation was to “…hear from members about how they’ve used [Illustrator] and see if it is providing value to us as a Makerspace…”
There are plenty of people showing examples of positive, use, and every one against it seems to be ideologically based, and I am not sure that it is that productive to have a divisive conversation about alternative softwares.
Some people like one thing, some like another, but the question is: whether Illustrator was actually useful, and good value for money over the past 12 months for those who have been using it, specifically those that don’t otherwise have access to it.
Let’s stay on topic please!
Is this really any different to buying a tool that if it gets a lot of use will require upgrading/replacing up front?
One you pay a lump sum every time the other you spread the cost.
You’re such an old school geek 
Well, yes , if you give for granted that software can break…is guess so…
Sorry if it’s gone a bit off topic but I’ve found this to be an interesting conversation. I’ve certainly learnt several useful things. Is it possible to move non-topic-specific discussion to another thread?
Software always has bugs and always will do. They fix some and add new features which introduce more bugs. When I install software, and it works, I never update/upgrade until it breaks or I specifically need a new feature.
I have access to Illustrator at work, but need it on the PC for tweaking designs and printing to the laser. I’ve used the alternatives mentioned, but find Illustrator the best to work with.
+1 Illustrator from me 